The most obvious of these practices is nepotism, which is rooted in the culture of the people. Yet there are others who engage in this practice without realizing the moral implications.
Introduction
Background of the Problem
Therefore, dealing with the problem of corruption in Africa requires a regular and sophisticated analysis of the complex interaction between corruption and some African cultural practices. Nevertheless, it is sad to note that most studies (these studies will be examined during literature review) conducted on corruption in Africa did not take cognizance of how some African cultural practices encourage corruption.
Literature Review
To begin with, she notes that the extended family system, which is one of the most cherished traditions of Africans, has also contributed to the spread of corruption. However, Sewanyana did not completely ignore the accusation that some of the most corrupt countries in the world are in Africa.
Research Objectives
However, the existing literature on the cultural roots of corruption in Africa is not comprehensive for the time being, because sufficient attention has not been given to the cultural roots of corruption. The study will specifically contribute to the debate on the cultural roots of corruption in Africa, with specific reference to nepotism.
Research Question
One may disagree with Ugwu and argue as Amadi did on the grounds that, in the pre-colonial period, it was possible for an elder to receive gifts to further the cause of a particular litigant if the litigant lost the case” ( Amadi, 1992: 83). This study was undertaken to compensate for the lack of literature that establishes the cultural link between African values and corruption.
Theoretical Framework
It is clear from this definition that strong partisanship is the view that there is nothing morally wrong with favoring our family and friends, even if it must come at the expense of the general welfare of the public. According to impartiality, those who work for the state should act only in the interests of the general public.
Research Methodology and Techniques
Critical analysis is also used to clarify the central ideas and concepts that are confusing and can derail the focus of the thesis if not clarified. So other views on the subject will only be referred to as a specific reference.
Outline of Thesis 35
The result of this contest is disagreement and different views on the meaning of corruption. Chapter five undertakes an evaluation of the prevalence of corruption during the various stages of African historical evolution.
Introduction
The Etymological Definition of Corruption
Nevertheless, one sure way to avoid getting caught up in this controversy is to approach the definition of corruption etymologically. In order, whether one is talking about ethics, morality, tradition, law or civil government, the definition assumes that the person is talking about well-established principles of life.
Dictionary Definition of Corruption
This definition's inability to distinguish between rule-breaking, which amounts to corruption, and rules that do not, makes it a jack-of-all-trades and master-of-none. Consequently, one may ask: Does breaking any law amount to corruption and are there acts that are not enshrined in the Constitution but do constitute corruption?
Philosophical Definition of Corruption
From this background, many philosophers view the world as inevitably corrupt, being a poor imitation of the ideal world. His Allegory of the Cave, Theory of Forms and the Divided Line Metaphor are clear examples of how the physical world appears true to a man who has never glimpsed the ideal world (The New Encyclopaedia Britannica, volume The Ideal World is the real, pure, perfect world, whereas the physical world is an imperfect imitation of the ideal and therefore corrupt.
Economic Definition of Corruption
Similarly, Transparency International believes that corruption is an inappropriate or illegal behavior of the official in the public sector (politician or civil servant through the abuse of the entrusted power for private gain of the person or related people) (Kadembo, 2008: 60) . exist all unethical practices, especially those committed by officials in the public sector to get economic benefits for themselves, their family or friends.
Political Definition of Corruption
The economic meaning of corruption is related to the previous definitions examined in this paper in the sense that it sees corruption as a violation of moral principles. Another important point that Shpresa brought to the understanding of corruption with this definition is the idea that corruption is done at the expense of the public or the common good.
Sociological Definition of Corruption
While the sociological view of corruption approaches the definition of corruption from the background of what causes it, it is still correct, as has been shown here, to argue that sociologists see corruption as a departure from moral principles. The only difference is that while other views are interested in the immoral nature of corruption, the sociological view is not so much interested in the nature of corruption, but in why people are corrupt and what people do when they are corrupt.
Types of Corruption
The point is that in most African cultures gift giving is seen as one of the defining characteristics of what makes a good person. What makes favoritism wrong and therefore a form of corruption is that it is done at the expense of society.
Explaining the Public Sector
- The Difference between the Public Sector and the Private Sector
Therefore, the difference between the public and private sectors is discussed in this section. Another distinguishing factor between the public and private sectors is the area of ownership. Nevertheless, the level of expenditure control in the public sector is higher compared to the private sector.
Introduction
The Meaning of Culture
- Culture is Variable
- Culture is Transmissible
- Culture is Learned
- Cultural Values are Shared and also Enforced
- Components of Culture
- Understanding of African Culture
- Diversity in African Culture
- Unity in African Culture
This shows that some public sector officials were seeking their own gain during colonial rule. This is one of the forms of corruption that is very common in the public sector in post-colonial Africa. In addition, the chapter discussed some causes and consequences of corruption on the continent.
African Culture and Nepotism
- Understanding the African Extended Family System
- Importance of Extended Family Systems in Africa
- Contribution of the Extended Family System to Nepotism
- Implications of the Extended Family System
Gift-Giving
- Gift-giving in Traditional African Society
- Gift-giving in the Modern African Society
- When Gift-giving is seen as Corruption
- Implications of Gift-giving
What seems interesting in traditional African gift-giving culture is the range of materials used as gifts. For example, sometimes the purpose of gift giving in public services seems to be corrupted. This may be one of the reasons why gift giving is an acceptable value in the private sector, but not in the public sector.
Conclusion
For example, nepotism, when seen within the scope of the African extended family system, is supposed to be ethical. Does this then require the abolition of the extended family system to get rid of corruption in Africa? Doing so is an abuse of the extended family system and is largely the root cause of corruption in Africa.
Introduction
Contributory Factors to Corruption
One of the main causes of corruption in most African countries is poor pay. The reason people work is to take care of their basic needs. The lack of good leadership in many African countries is a sign that the leadership is not interested in the affairs of the country. If civil servants are not well vetted, some of them may not give up exploiting public funds for their personal interests.
Consequences of Corruption
- Unemployment
- Poverty
- Corruption Weakens Accountability
- Corruption Breeds Further Corruption
- Increase in Sub-standard Goods
- Social Instability
- Lack of Commitment to Duty
- Lack of Trust in the Government
When civil servants engage in corrupt practices, corruption in society will continue to grow. It is because of corruption in the public sector that civil servants engage in illegal business during working hours. One possible result of people's lack of confidence in their government due to corruption is instability in the government of the day.
Conclusion
If officials are not accountable and transparent, it could lead to the collapse of the government as citizens may no longer trust such a government. Some military coups in some African countries, especially Nigeria, have been attributed to a lack of trust due to the absence of accountability and transparency in the overthrown government (Ugwuoke, 2002: 145). Another result of the government's instability is its effect on the country's development plan, as it is likely that no new government will continue the old plan.
Introduction
Corruption and Public Sector in Pre-Colonial Africa
An important thing to note about the public sector in pre-colonial Africa is that there was consultation. In pre-colonial Africa, there seemed to be an understanding of how people went about their tasks. This suggests that people valued high moral values such as honesty and love in pre-colonial Africa.
Corruption and Public Sectorin Colonial Africa
Some chiefs were appointed by the colonial authorities because they adopted the new colonial rule through their legislation. For example, the civil service established by the colonial government was one of the best things done on the African continent. This shows that there was not much corruption in those areas of the colonial public sector, in those areas that were administered by Europeans.
Corruption and Public Sector in Post-Colonial Africa
The above quote shows that there is corruption in the public sector in Nigeria. Gould believes that in then Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of Congo) under Mobutu, the appointment of officials was usually based on nepotism and cronyism (Gould 1980: 126). There are also cases of corruption and the prevalence of nepotism in the Cameroonian public sector in post-colonial Africa.
Why Corruption Seems to be on the Increase in the Public Sector in Post-Colonial
There must be some explanations for this high rate of corruption in post-colonial Africa. But the same practice in the form of nepotism is considered corruption in the public sector today. It is because of this conflict between the modern and traditional norms that some civil servants justify their corrupt practices and thus increase corruption in post-colonial Africa.
Conclusion
Thus, during this period, cases of corruption in the public sector in many African countries became a recurring decimal. In addition, underdevelopment, social strife and poverty have been identified as the main consequences of corruption in post-colonial Africa. The next chapter will tackle the ethical critique of corruption from an African moral perspective.
Introduction
- The Public Service Ethics
- Explaining ‘Ethics’ and ‘Morality’
- Code of Conduct
- What is expected from a civil servant?
- Ethical Dilemmas
- Critical Review and Interpretation of Corruption in an African Perspective
- How African Ethics can help in Addressing Corruption in Africa
- Conclusion
However, Ayee notes that "the difference between "morality" and "ethics" is that, while morality is concerned with the personal conduct of an individual - his moral duties and conformity to conventional rules, ethics refers to the basic principles of the proper conduct and rules of conduct" (Ayee, 1998: 3) This understanding will inform the use of the two concepts in this chapter. The story goes on to say that "the officers allegedly told him that they would take him to the nearest ATM would accompany, where he apparently gave them R1000." But Orwell spoke in contrast to Ghandi when he said that "the essence of being human is that one does not seek perfection, that one is sometimes willing to commit sins for the sake of loyalty" (Orwell.
Introduction
Summary
Recommendation
- Distinction between Obligation to the Family and Obligation to the State
- Ethical Education
- Value Re-orientation
- Provision of a Code of Conduct in the Public Sector
- TheIssue of African Cultural Values should be addressed
- Exemplary Leadership
- Deterrents
- Creating Awareness
- Rule of Law Must be Followed and Rules must be Clear
Conclusion
